IU ranked among world's 50 most innovative universities, based on patent, publishing data

According to a Reuters News analysis of patent and publishing data from hundreds of research institutions around the globe between 2008 and 2013, Indiana University ranks among the world’s 50 most innovative universities.

IU placed 49th in the list of Top 100 World’s Most Innovative Universities and 33rd among U.S. universities. Twelve of the Top 100, including IU, are part of the Committee on Institutional Cooperation, an academic consortium that includes members of the Big Ten Conference and the University of Chicago.

“To be recognized as one of the world’s most innovative universities is a tribute to IU’s faculty, students and staff, as well as our ability to take cutting-edge research and translate it into commercially viable technologies. It also reflects the strong commitment IU holds as a unique and vital contributor to the state’s economic vitality.”

— Bill Stephan, IU vice president for engagement

During the 2015 fiscal year, an institutional record 183 U.S. and foreign patents were issued to the Indiana University Research and Technology Corp., a nonprofit IU affiliate tasked with transferring IU discoveries to the commercial marketplace.

That marked a 254 percent increase over 2014. Startup businesses based on IU innovations attracted nearly $100 million in follow-on funding, while IURTC grossed more than $6.8 million in royalties. IU also received $540.7 million in external research funding, the highest amount for any of Indiana’s publicly funded universities and the second-highest total in IU history.